USRA Honors
USRA Student-Athlete Alumni Legacy
Honoring the High School Student-Athletes Who Built the Pathway
Beginning with the Class of 2027, the United States Rafting Association National Scholar All-American and Beyond the Rapids awards will honor graduating high school student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in academics, competitive raft racing, leadership, fundraising, and service.
The USRA Student-Athlete Alumni Legacy celebrates the high school student-athletes who competed at USRA Regional Championships, USRA National Championships, and/or represented Team USA in international competition prior to the launch of these recognition programs. Their achievements helped establish the standard of excellence in youth raft racing and laid the foundation for the opportunities available to future generations of student-athletes.
Class of 2026
Annika Pekarek
Team USA U19 Women (2026 Junior Worlds, 2025 Worlds, 2025 Nationals)
Faith Anderson
Team USA U19 Women (2026 Junior Worlds, 2025 Worlds, 2025 Nationals)
Spencer Rodgers
Team USA U19 Men (2024 Worlds, 2024 PanAms, 2024 Nationals, 2022 Regionals)
Class of 2025
Bodhi Bockhorst
Team USA U19 Men (2025 Worlds, 2025 Junior Worlds, 2025 Nationals, 2024 Worlds, 2024 PanAms, 2024 Nationals)
Class of 2024
Chloe Tippett
Team USA U19 Women (2022 Worlds, 2022 Regionals)
Team USA U19 Men (2025 Junior Worlds – on men’s team with federation approval)
Sienna Elste
Team USA U19 Women (2022 Regionals)
Tatum Akers
Team USA U19 Women (2022 Worlds, 2022 Regionals)
Class of 2023
Hannah Hammond
Team USA U19 Women (2022 Worlds, 2022 Regionals)
Jolie Peek
U19 Women (2019 Nationals)
Laurel Anderson
Team USA U19 Women (2022 Worlds, 2022 Regionals, 2019 Nationals)
Class of 2022
Elsa Pekarek
U19 Women (2019 Nationals)
Kennedy Kruse
Team USA U19 Women (2022 Worlds)
Class of 2021
Annsley Akers
U19 Women (2019 Nationals)
Ava Pekarek
U19 Women (2019 Nationals)
USRA Honors
USRA Legacy Coaches
Honoring the Coaches Who Built the Pathway
The USRA Legacy Coaches honors the coaches who helped shape these high school student-athlete alumni before the launch of formal recognition programs. Through their leadership and coaching, they supported athletes competing at USRA Regional Championships, USRA National Championships, and on the international stage as members of Team USA. Their efforts helped establish youth raft racing in the United States and created opportunities that continue to benefit future generations of student-athletes.
Legacy Coaches of Student-Athlete Alumni (Class of 2021 – 2026)
Lucas “Core” Da Silva
Student-Athlete Alumni Coach to Team USA U19 Men, Team USA U19 Women, and Team USA Open Men (youth athletes)
Highlights: Coach at 2026 Junior Worlds, 2025 Worlds, 2024 PanAms
Aaron Tippett
USRA Vice President
Student-Athlete Alumni Coach to Team USA U19 Men, Team USA U19 Women, and Team USA Open Men (youth athletes)
Highlights: Coach at 2026 Nationals, 2025 Nationals, and 2024 Nationals; USRA Delegation Head at 2026 Junior Worlds; Coach at 2025 Pacific Cup and Junior Worlds; Coach at 2024 PanAms and Worlds; Coach’s Assistant at 2022 Worlds
Sue Norman
Former USRA President
Student-Athlete Alumni Coach to Team USA U19 Men and Team USA U19 Women
Highlights: Coach at 2022 Regionals and Worlds; Coach at 2019 Nationals
Sam Barron
USRA President
Student-Athlete Alumni Coach
Meghan Robertson
USRA Board Member
Student-Athlete Alumni Coach
Julie Sutton
Former USRA Board Member
Student-Athlete Alumni Coach
Jorrey Cook
Student-Athlete Alumni Coach